Sun closure: Former editor 'heartbroken'

Friends of Bermuda: Former Sun editor Peter Beckett, photographed on the south shore this winter with his wife Diana and their dog, Daisy. *Photo supplied

Dear Tony,

I was heartbroken to hear the Sun is to breathe its last and so many will be looking for jobs.

Sad day indeed. I took over editorship in 1965 about six months (and two editors) after the Sun’s birth.

To say we had a mixed bunch of opinions in the editorial department was an understatement — Bryan Darby, my trusty assistant, the late David Allen, and Margaret Fishley all worked hard to produce a paper we could be proud of.

More dear friends such as the stalwart Enith Wilson took care of circulation whilst the ladies in advertising — Maggie Thomson, Jean French and Lucy Davis — made sure we stayed solvent. I also worked with Gill Outerbridge and David Fox.

Our success in those early years also had a lot to do with the support we got from Island Press’ Horst Augustinovic, whose creative energy, quiet attention to detail and exhausting working hours I am forever grateful for.

It was seven years of tears, toil, trials and tribulations for me, but years to be remembered forever because of those wonderful people.

Thanks to everybody and I apologise if I have left anybody out but with the passage of time one’s mind dims a little.

Tony, you stood the test of time longer than anyone and for that you deserve a medal. Don’t lose heart and I am sure there will be plenty of opportunities around the corner if they haven’t arrived already. I wish you well, Quo Fata Ferunt!